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Man Charged After He Purposely Slips On Banana Peel To Sue Metro

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A Maryland man is charged with fraud after Metro says he staged a fall on a banana peel in a southeast Washington station elevator.

Metro says Maurice Owens, 42, of District Heights sued the transit agency for $15,000, claiming he injured his left leg and hip in a fall at the Potomac Avenue station in August.

But officials say surveillance video shows Owens dropping something later identified as a banana peel as he looks in the direction of the camera. Owens steps on peel as the elevator door opens, and officials say the video shows him thrusting himself forward and falling to the ground.

The claim against Metro was thrown out, and Owens has been charged with second-degree fraud, a felony. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.